dormant, curled up cat
teases the insomniac
with her easy naps.

the sun stays longer
as winter starts to retreat
in advance of spring.

I remember when
snow meant days off for sledding,
not troubled commutes.

awaiting answers
is just that much harder when
your questions matter.

seeing what is and
seeing what’s not are the most
vital people skills.

in the beginning,
warm subtlety guards what cool
clarity betrays.

the coffee girl smiles-
-fueled by happiness or
desire for a tip?

today is the day
to begin returning all
those pleasures borrowed.

Tags: ash wednesday, catholicism

all atrocities
are justified when victims
are dehumanized.

your dismissive view
of the janitor reveals
ugly ideas.

just before we go,
just a whisper to confirm
what you should have known.